EC Bar Ranch Conservation Projects

Comprising less than 1% of the land in Arizona, riparian ecosystems are diverse communities of plants and animals established along the edges of waterways, in this case Nutrioso Creek. Because of their structure and proximity to water, riparian habitats are very susceptible to invasion by alien species, stress by humans, and animal activity. These invasions, particularly by plants, can then permanently alter riparian ecological processes. When acquired in 1996, the riparian zone was rated as nonfunctional. After partnerships with public funding agencies were developed, many conservation and water quality improvement practices have been implemented on the 400 acre EC Bar Ranch. The entire 2 1/2 miles of riparian corridor on the ranch has improved to an upward trend with some places now in proper functioning condition.

In July 2000, the AZ Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) completed the Nutrioso Creek TMDL for Turbidity. TDML means Total Maximum Daily Load. The Report concluded that exposed streambanks along 7 miles of the 27 mile Creek were aggravated by historically heavy activity from livestock and elk. An excessive amount of turbidity was the result. The Report recommended a number of improvements on about 3 miles on the EC Bar Ranch and 4 miles on the USFS. While many water quality improvement practices were already underway on the ranch, they needed to be expanded to recently acquired sections to meet turbidity standards leading to the removal of Nutrioso Creek as an impaired water source. Improvements in Nutrioso Creek wetland habitat would also help in delisting of the LCR spinedace (minnow) as a threatened species. For more information on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) see http://www.nacdnet.org/govtaff/tmdl/